Well, not quite to the point of hermitage, but self-study and for a period refraining for spending time reading "about" the target language of study and simply spending a large period of time using the already gathered resources and setting out of satisfy a short list of simple target language goals before re-connecting with the online language-learners world (or "coming down from the mountain").

The above is what I'm about to do (by physically disconnecting the modem from the computer and leaving it in another room), for about three weeks, then maybe another three if it works. Mainly due to personal frustrations relating to the current study environment and progress. I already have a collection of resources (like most do, I'd wager) and yet still constantly read up about different methods, more efficient study means, etc., etc., etc.


The reason this is being posted is to ask of the experience of any others whom have "shut-themselves away" and focused entirely on their resources and study plan, and simply went with it, without constantly stopping to read about the target language, or spent time on online forums, etc. Basically cutting away all the main distractions and "got on with it".



I'll be back in a few weeks to briefly report on whether it was worth it, how it may or may not have provided renewed perspective and/or motivation, and what sort of growth impact it provided towards my Japanese comprehension.

I think this is the best thing that anyone could ever do for their language study.

I didn't discover these forums until some time after passing N1 so I never really had a connection with this community. My university community was all about the classes so that didn't help. Then one of my teachers said "If you want to learn, buy a novel." Then I found AJATT and severely tweaked the ideas to fit my own life. Result: I think I turned out pretty well.
Then I found this community which, while awesome for encouraging each other and sharing ideas, can be taken too far and distract people from the important stuff. (DOING things). I never had anyone to consult about my method.. I got my motivation from AJATT and my method from myself. (As a result, I'm often found running around the forums telling people to think less. )

I feel like overthinking the process is holding a lot of people back. Some people really want to know the ins and outs of why the language works and that's cool- Linguistics n' stuff- but most people don't need to know. If you really want to learn the language and can deal with worrying about the "why" later (or never) then the hermit way is great I think. Makes you think for yourself etc etc. I believed that crazy Khatz guy when he said "You'll get it someday just DO stuff."